Gandapur dares rivals to bring down his govt

CM says PTI formed its govt in K-P on the basis of its own strength

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LAHORE:

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has challenged political forces threatening to oust his government, asserting that the PTI formed its government in K-P on the basis of its own strength, not through anyone's support.

Gandapur made the remarks while addressing party leaders and speaking to the media during a gathering at a farmhouse in Lahore's Raiwind Road on Saturday. The K-P CM arrived in Lahore on Saturday night, leading a convoy of PTI lawmakers along with PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan.

Launching a sharp critique of JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman, Gandapur said the head of the religious party was misleading voters and lacked public support. The PTI leader claimed that the public had "rejected" the JUI-F chief.

"It would be better if the Maulana brought change within himself rather than attempting to impose a change on the K-P. Fazlur Rehman was elected through a fake mandate and has no authority to speak on behalf of the people of the province," he added.

Gandapur said Fazl holds only one National Assembly and two provincial assembly seats on merit, while the rest were secured through alleged manipulation via Form 47. "He misled the people, and that is why he was unable to win in his own constituency," he asserted.

He also announced the launch of a new political movement, which, he said, would begin in Lahore.

"Whenever a movement starts from Lahore, it resonates across Pakistan," he said, emphasising that the campaign would be shaped by ground realities and carried out in consultation with party leaders. He vowed to intensify the movement from August 5, urging supporters to prepare for a decisive action.

Addressing ongoing political tensions, Gandapur also criticized the recent suspension of opposition members from the Punjab Assembly and called the move illegal.

He warned that if such actions continued, he would respond by removing committee chairpersons appointed by the Punjab government in the K-P. Gandapur reiterated his party's stance that former prime minister Imran Khan, currently imprisoned, is innocent and facing politically motivated charges.

"There is no case against our leader," he said, adding that the movement's direction should be shaped by the country's political circumstances rather than comparisons between Punjab and the K-P.

Earlier, a convoy of PTI lawmakers arrived in Lahore from Islamabad, signaling what party officials described as the beginning of a renewed political movement. The visit came amid heightened police presence, arrests of party workers, and escalating tensions with the Punjab government.

The convoy arrived at the Raiwind Road farmhouse of Senate former deputy chairman Mirza Muhammad Afridi, located near the Sharif family's estate in Lahore. A dinner and strategic meetings of PTI's parliamentary committees were scheduled at the venue.

According to party insiders, the discussions would center on protest planning and legislative responses to the recent suspension of PTI lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly.

Given the prevailing political climate in both Punjab and the K-P, the meetings are being viewed as politically significant. Talks are also expected to address future political strategy and the potential for alliances between regional power blocs.

Earlier, the convoy's arrival at Shahdara Mor was met with a heavy deployment of the Punjab Police.

According to PTI sources, officers arrested four party workers, including Lahore-based ticket holder Engineer Yasir Gilani. Although Gilani was later released, the arrests fueled fresh accusations of political harassment by the PTI leadership. Media access to the site was restricted, and a scheduled press interaction was reportedly canceled due to security concerns.

Earlier in Jhelum, Gandapur stated that the leadership was formulating a roadmap to sustain the movement through at least August 5. "We want consensus through consultation. Our leadership and workers are in jail, but our commitment remains unwavering," he said.

Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan affirmed that any announcement regarding the protest campaign would come directly from party founder Imran Khan. He said the Lahore visit was intended to meet party legislators and finalise the movement's future direction within the law.

Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar welcomed the convoy in a video message, calling it a "symbolic awakening" of Punjab. "The people of Lahore are on the streets to welcome their leaders," he said.

The political mobilisation is taking place against the backdrop of the June 27 suspension of 26 PTI lawmakers, following their protest during CM Maryam Nawaz's address to the Punjab Assembly.

Since then, thousands of PTI workers have reportedly been arrested or charged as the party ramps up its opposition to the provincial government's policies.

"PTI has now formally launched its protest movement," Bhachar declared. "Raids are underway across Punjab, and we are not afraid of these arrests. Our central leadership and parliamentary parties from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab are meeting in Lahore to finalise our course of action."

Earlier, PTI lawmakers including both parliamentarians from Punjab as well as provincial assembly members converged in Islamabad to attend a meeting convened by CM Gandapur at the K-P House.

Gandapur emphasized that the K-P's leadership intends to work with the opposition for political stability in the country. He reiterated the PTI's commitment to continue raising its voice within constitutional boundaries and on all available forums.